[ARI Working Paper Seires No. 11]

Strategic Implications of Cross-Strait Economic Cooperation

by Edward I-Hsin Chen
(Professor, Tamkang University)

Notes on Contributor

Edward I–hsin Chen, who earned his Ph. D. from Department of Political Science at Columbia University in 1986, is teaching in the Graduate Institute of American Studies (GIAS) at Tamkang University. He was legislator from 1996 to 1999 and director of the institute from 2001 to 2005. His specializes in international relations theories, globalization and international political economy, and decision-making process of U.S. policy toward China and Taiwan. His recent English articles include “U.S. Role in Future Taipei-Beijing Relations” in King-yuh Chang, ed., Political Economic Security in Asia-Pacific (Taipei: Foundationon International & Cross-Strait Studies,2004); “A Retrospective and Prospective Overview of U.S.-PRC-ROC Relations,” in Views & Policies : Taiwan Forum, Vol.2, No.2, December 2005 (A Journal of Cross-Strait Interflow Prospect Foundation in Taipei); “ The Decision-Making Process of the Clinton Administration in the Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1995-96,” in King-yuh Chang, ed., The 1996 Strait Crisis Decisions, Lessons & Prospects (Taipei : Foundation on International & Cross-Strait Studies, 2006); and “From Balance to Imbalance: The U.S. Cross-Strait Policy in the First Term of the Bush Administration,” in Quansheng Zhao and Tai Wan-chin, ed., Globalization and East Asia (Taipei: Taiwan Elite, 2007).

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Abstract

The main purpose of this article is to explore the strategic implications of cross-Strait economic cooperation. There are many landmines in the process of cross-Strait negotiations on such issues as the ECFA, EZWCTS, ASEAN + N, and related political issues. Negotiations on each issue have different strategic implications
for different national players. Between the two great powers, Taiwan cannot but make a strategic choice to accommodate them by constantly maintaining U.S. arms procurement and security commitment while deliberately seeking Chinese economic cooperation.